PC install new OS...
By
all_hell,
Posted on: 2010-08-05 16:22 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
Probably want this in the tech section.
That said, reinstalling is really the best way of doing it. There are migration cables, and programs, etc. (especially built into Win7 - "Windows Easy Transfer") but a clean install is best.
(Edit - actually, going to the same PC... it's still doable, but not particularly tidy, IMHO.)
Hmm, it depends. If your Win7 disk supports an update, then yes. You should be able to do it. Try running the disk in your WinXP installation. It should tell you if it can be used for an update.
Just remember two things when doing this:
1. While your programs will still be installed, they might not be compatible. You're skipping a generation of Windows, after all.
2. Backup first. Upgrades are handy, but you really don't want to see one that has failed. *shudder*
But once you've copied everything you want to backup over, try inserting the Win7 disk while WinXP is running.
Oh, and Windows will definitely ask for a re-activation with that kind of hardware change.
But yeah, as Memphis Bill said, a clean install is superior. You'll be happier with that in the long run. But, yes. You can most likely upgrade, but the question will be if you're gonna save any time doing so. I wouldn't bet on that.
Aegis Rose, Forcefield/Energy Defender - Freedom
"Bubble up for safety!"
I think you would have to go from xp to vista to 7
iirc, there's no direct migration tool for xp to 7
but possibly soem 3rd party software.
All said and done, you'll likely end up happier if you do a clean install of everything
Well i'm also going from 32 bit to 64 bit...
and XP I'm installing win7 on a different HDD, and possibly taking out the old HDD that has win XP on it...
Note, even if you were on Vista, going from 32 bit vista -64 bit vista or 7 would require a clean install.
So, possibly, you would have to go from xp32 to xp 64 to vista 64 to W7
or
xp32 to vista 32 to vista 64 to W7
or
xp32 to vista 32 to W7 32
or
do a clean install of everything
...
I am clean installing Windows 7... I am wondering if there is any way to not have to clean install the programs. The progams are all on a different HDD and installed... or if there is a quicker way to install them since the files are all there already.
Quote:
I'm not sure what you're babbling about. No, you do not have to do some systemic install of every OS that came in between. Vista does not come into play, nor does XP 64. |
Originally Posted by all_hell
So, possibly, you would have to go from xp32 to xp 64 to vista 64 to W7
or xp32 to vista 32 to vista 64 to W7 or xp32 to vista 32 to W7 32 or do a clean install of everything |
Any install from XP to 7 of any flavor requires a clean install. Even using an upgrade disk. I've done this multiple times.
Any change from 32 to 64 bit (Vista or 7) requires a clean install.
In any case, the OP's doing a clean install and wants to avoid as many reinstalls as possible.
Now, some apps (like COH) this isn't a big deal - they just don't do much in the registry. Copy the COH directory to an external drive, and follow BillZBubba's guide to installing test or moving COH (in player guides.) It's basically "barely start the install, copy data over," as I recall. You *might* get away with the same thing with other apps (start the install, point it to the directory on the other drive, let it see it's installed already, watch "install" finish in seconds) but others are going to write all over it. They'll have registry entries and misc. files to drop in the WIndows directory, for instance.
Basically - expect to have to reinstall the others, but pointing them to the same directory on the secondary drive may speed things up.
Quote:
The files will be, but things like Registry Information will not be in the new OSes registry.|
Originally Posted by Durakken
...
I am clean installing Windows 7... I am wondering if there is any way to not have to clean install the programs. The progams are all on a different HDD and installed... or if there is a quicker way to install them since the files are all there already. |
So you still are much better off reinstalling everything. One handy site for all the open-source "essential" installs is :
http://ninite.com/
Basically creates a single Master Installer for you which then downloads and auto-installs everything you've chosen. Worked really well for me when I upgraded my laptop HD & OS a few months ago with a full clean install (it also includes Steam which was handy for me as nearly all the games I play are via either Steam or Impulse so they then went and resinstalled them for me).
I've upgraded/moved/reinstalled more times than I can count over the years so I've had some practice.
Let me STRONGLY recommend a complete clean install of everything... going from XP to Win7 64 bit will require a clean install of the OS but there are methods to kind-of, sort-of move programs. Don't even consider this, even if it works it's very likely to introduce bugs (I know, bugs in Windows, who'd a thunk it?).
Before you start your upgrade of hardware make sure you've backed up ALL the data you want to keep, your email, word documents, pictures and whatnot. The actual programs themselves don't matter since you'll just reinstall them from the original disks but the data is what's important.
The last time I made a clean install of Win7 it took me roughly 3 hours; installing the OS, configuring it and then installing all the programs. Actually I typically keep installing the odd program I forgot for the next week or so; I'm reminded when I need that program the next time and it isn't there...
COH has just been murdered by NCSoft. http://www.change.org/petitions/ncso...city-of-heroes
I'm pretty much changing everything about my PC save for 2 HDDs and possibly a 3rd
Most of my programms are on those 2 HDDs i'm keeping.
I'm switching from winXP to Win7...
Is there any way to not have to reinstall every program?